Instructional Process
1. Have students locate the Klondike on a map of the United States (or show them on your computer/screen).
2. Explain that Jack London writes stories about surviving in the Klondike in the early 1900's. He uses a lot of realistic description of what it is like to survive in harsh conditions. In this story, he uses realistic description of what it is like to travel on foot in weather that is colder than 50 degrees below zero.
3. Read To Build a Fire.
Possible Questions for discussion or assignment:
1.What is the weather like as the man sets out for Sulphur Creek?
2. What has the old-timer said about traveling in this weather?
3. How does the dog react to the cold?
4. What does the man do when his feet get wet?
5. At what point does the man lose control of his situation? How do you know?
6. What is the man thinking and feeling as he runs to stay alive? What else could he have done?
7. What is the man's attitude at the end toward the old-timer's advice?
Writing Activities: Do both or give them the option to choose one.
1. Jack London is described as a writer who uses realistic detail to establish his settings. Explain, in a paragraph, how this story is a good example of realism. Use specific examples from the text to support how he uses realistic description.
2. In a paragraph, explain how this story is a good example of man vs. nature conflict. Use support from the text to support your thinking.
Possible options for assessment:
1. Written essay essay questions
2. Short answer questions link to questions May want to pick and choose from these questions.
Major Themes throughout the text
Determinism
Responsibility
Cause and Effect
Instinct over Intellectualism
Survival Major Themes explanation
By: Jack London
Text online
Audio version of text
Summary of text
Instructional Process
1. Have students locate the Klondike on a map of the United States (or show them on your computer/screen).
2. Explain that Jack London writes stories about surviving in the Klondike in the early 1900's. He uses a lot of realistic description of what it is like to survive in harsh conditions. In this story, he uses realistic description of what it is like to travel on foot in weather that is colder than 50 degrees below zero.
3. Read To Build a Fire.
Possible Questions for discussion or assignment:
1.What is the weather like as the man sets out for Sulphur Creek?
2. What has the old-timer said about traveling in this weather?
3. How does the dog react to the cold?
4. What does the man do when his feet get wet?
5. At what point does the man lose control of his situation? How do you know?
6. What is the man thinking and feeling as he runs to stay alive? What else could he have done?
7. What is the man's attitude at the end toward the old-timer's advice?
Writing Activities: Do both or give them the option to choose one.
1. Jack London is described as a writer who uses realistic detail to establish his settings. Explain, in a paragraph, how this story is a good example of realism. Use specific examples from the text to support how he uses realistic description.
2. In a paragraph, explain how this story is a good example of man vs. nature conflict. Use support from the text to support your thinking.
Possible options for assessment:
1. Written essay essay questions
2. Short answer questions link to questions May want to pick and choose from these questions.
Major Themes throughout the text
Determinism
Responsibility
Cause and Effect
Instinct over Intellectualism
Survival
Major Themes explanation